Exclusive: Nottingham Forest agree terms of loan-to-buy player exit

Nottingham Forest have agreed a deal to loan out midfielder Ryan Yates to League One hopefuls Portsmouth, Football Insider sources understand.

Highly-rated midfielder Yates is set to make the move to Fratton Park on loan for the second half of the season as Pompey boss Kenny Jackett looks to strengthen their squad in a bid to maintain their push for promotion back to the Championship.

A well-placed source has told Football Insider that a number of clubs have expressed an interest in signing Yates when the transfer window reopens next month, but Portsmouth have moved quickly to agree a loan deal with a view to a permanent switch with Forest.

Yates is highly-regarded at Forest and signed a new deal last summer, but Forest could decide to cash-in on him if he impresses during his loan at Portsmouth.

Yates is well down the pecking order in Aitor Karanka’s first-team plans at Forest and has made just one appearance in the Carabao Cup back in August.

The 21-year-old enjoyed two spells out on loan last season at League Two Notts County and League One Nottingham Forest and Forest feel Yates would benefit by going out on loan again.